Improved mode of protecting ships  bottoms



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES BROWN, 0F ALDGATE, LoNnoN, ENGLAND.

IMPROVED MODE OF PROTECTING SHIPS BOTTOMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 10,672, dated November 24, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES BROWN, of Aldgate, in the city of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in protecting the bottoms and sides of ships and other entirely or partially submerged surfaces; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My said invention consists in protecting the bottoms and sides of ships and other entirely or partially submerged surfaces with plates or sheets of iron which have been previously coated or covered with an enamel or glaze, either on one or both sides, such glazed or enameled plates being caused to adhere to the sides and other portions of the vessel desired to be protected by means of a suitable cement, such as glue or other adhesive material or mixtures. The plates may also be attached by means of nails, screws, rivets, or other suitable means; but I prefer the employment of adhesive materials as before mentioned, and more especially of that known as marine glue. The enamel or glaze with which iron or metal plates or sheathing to be employed for the above purposes are coated or covered is such as will resist the action of salt or fresh water, and will not easily be detached from the iron or other metal.

In carrying out my invention I select iron as the best metal, because the danger of galvanic action is avoided should the plates accidentally come into contact with the sides of an iron vessel. The plates may be of various thicknesses; but that which I have found to be most applicable is twenty four wire gage. They may be made of suitable shapes to fit the outline of the vessel, and may be fixed in various ways, either edge to edge or overlapping, as may be found most convenient.

The method of fastening the plates I have found the most effective is to place them side by side, so as to bring the edges of the plates into contact. Should there be an interstice, it will be filled with the marine glue or other cement employed in fastening them to the ships bottom, so as to protect the unglazed or unenameled part from oxidation, the Whole being fastened to the vessel or surface to be covered, thus giving to a ship such a surface as will prevent the attachment of animal or vegetable matter, while the pliable nature of the glue in each interstice enables wooden vessels at sea to work without detaching the plates.

Having now described and particularly ascertained the natureof my said invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that whatIconsider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent, is

The covering of the bottoms and sides of ships or other partially or entirelysubmerged surfaces with glazed or enameled plates of iron, and applied in the manner and for the purpose above described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification before two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES BROWN. Witnesses:

'IHos. KIBBLE SANDY, E. O. DAVIES- 

